This text is sponsored by Whisker, a global chief in revolutionary U.S.-made expertise for cat house owners, together with the Litter-Robotic. Discover out extra about their merchandise right here.
As a vet, I see many cat house owners making the identical errors—actually not as a result of they aren’t devoted to their cat’s care, however as a result of they’re straightforward to make. Many don’t understand they’re making errors in any respect. Nonetheless, some actions or inactions can have long-term penalties on the cat’s well being and happiness. The excellent news is that they’re straightforward to repair as soon as what they’re.
On this article, we cowl the seven most typical errors cat house owners make, why they matter, and the best way to keep away from making these errors sooner or later.
7 Widespread Errors Cat Homeowners Ought to Keep away from
1. Overfeeding
The commonest mistake I see is cat house owners feeding their cats an excessive amount of meals per day. Over half the cats I see every day are obese, and this development is simply growing as cat mother and father overfill the meals bowl, depart the bowl full and accessible all day, and neglect that treats contribute to the cat’s complete each day calorie consumption.
Feeding is a big a part of your relationship along with your cat—and, from a cat’s perspective, there’s no such factor as an excessive amount of. However being obese considerably reduces a cat’s high quality of life, making them extra susceptible to growing illnesses. Even being reasonably obese can shorten their lifespan.
Giving your cat the correct amount of meals is among the most essential issues you are able to do to assist them dwell a protracted, wholesome life. In case your cat is obese, try our information on placing a cat on a weight loss plan.
Additionally Learn: The ten Greatest Cat Meals in 2023
2. Not Visiting the Vet Usually
It’s straightforward to overlook small adjustments in conduct or look if you see your cat daily. That is why common vet visits are so essential. As a vet, it’s devastating to seek out an issue in a cat I haven’t seen for a very long time, realizing that I may need been in a position to assist had I seen them sooner.
Visiting your veterinarian a few times a 12 months permits professionals to assist establish any well being or medical issues. Throughout a routine go to, we’ll weigh your cat, present annual vaccinations, and carry out a full bodily examination. In case your cat is older, we would additionally advocate extra checks that assist us spot frequent issues in older cats, corresponding to kidney illness or hypertension, earlier than they present indicators of being unwell.
We frequently establish issues throughout examinations that cat house owners wouldn’t be capable to discover at dwelling—and the sooner we discover them, the extra efficiently we are able to deal with your cat.
3. Not Cleansing the Litter Field Sufficient
Cats favor the litter field to be clear each time they use it. This implies cleansing after each use or a minimum of a few occasions per day, which is usually onerous for cat house owners to handle.
An unclean litter field could make your cat reluctant to make use of the toilet. They may maintain it in, which might result in critical well being issues, or they might select to go exterior the tray—a tough behavior to repair.
Self-cleaning litter packing containers such because the Litter-Robotic 4 provide a fantastic answer. They scoop your cat’s waste mechanically after each use, so cat house owners solely have to empty a waste drawer.
My greatest concern with different automated litter packing containers is they might make it onerous to note essential adjustments in your cat’s litter field exercise. Modifications like this may increasingly point out critical well being points like kidney illness, diabetes, and urinary tract illness, so it’s crucial that what’s occurring in your cat’s field.
That’s why I favor good automated litter packing containers just like the Litter-Robotic 4. This product not solely self-cleans but in addition screens your cat’s litter field utilization, waste, and weight via the Whisker app. This real-time monitoring provides you essential insights into your cat’s well being that you’d in any other case miss.
Of all the automated litter packing containers the Cats.com workforce has examined, the Litter-Robotic 4 supplies the cleanest, quietest biking and greatest compatibility with a wide range of litter merchandise.
Your cat is more likely to adore it as a lot as you do.
Click on right here to be taught extra or purchase the Litter-Robotic 4.
4. Altering Meals All of the sudden
Cat abdomen illness and diarrhea are frequent causes for vet visits. Usually the perpetrator is a sudden change of their weight loss plan. It’s a typical mistake as a result of not all cat house owners understand how delicate cats’ stomachs are to new meals.
If you wish to change your cat’s meals, do it regularly. Introduce a small quantity of the brand new meals every day and improve the quantity slowly. It’s best to goal to be on 100% new meals after 7-10 days, assuming your cat isn’t displaying any indicators of tummy upset.
Additionally Learn: The 8 Greatest Cat Meals for Delicate Stomachs
5. Considering Indoor Cats Can’t Get Fleas
Usually once I see a cat with itchy pores and skin, the proprietor is adamant it isn’t fleas as a result of they’ve an indoor cat—after which they’re shocked once I disclose that the perpetrator is fleas.
Fleas are consultants at moving into your home, whether or not they are available in on the coats of different animals or your garments. Typically they’re already in your carpets or tender furnishings. So whereas it’s true that indoor cats are much less more likely to get fleas, it’s actually not unimaginable.
Fleas usually make cats itchy and sore, however in addition they carry nasty illnesses that may have an effect on each you and your cat. Sadly, fleas aren’t straightforward to eliminate. Due to their lifecycle, fleas require common remedy to be eradicated. You additionally have to deal with different animals and the home. Your complete course of can take a few months.
Cat house owners can stop this situation by guaranteeing their cat receives common flea therapies from their vet. This preventative measure can prevent and your cat from an extended, extra hectic remedy course of.
6. Lacking Indicators of Ache
Whilst you would possibly suppose your cat would vocalize or limp in the event that they had been in ache, the indicators are sometimes extra delicate. Cats are good at hiding ache as a result of, within the wild, they’re prey in addition to predators. As you could possibly guess, it’s not an excellent survival technique to broadcast that you simply’ve bought an issue.
Sadly, this implies the indicators of ache are straightforward to overlook, which is what number of cats undergo for longer than they should. Listed here are the delicate indicators you possibly can look out for that point out your cat is uncomfortable or in misery:
- Sleeping extra
- Being withdrawn, irritable, or much less playful
- Not leaping up on issues they used to
- Lowered urge for food
- Favoring one aspect of the mouth when consuming
- Decreased grooming
- Not desirous to be touched or picked up
If you happen to discover any of those adjustments, take your cat to your veterinarian.
7. Forgetting to Replace ID Data
Some of the heartbreaking (and avoidable) conditions I see is a misplaced cat with out an ID tag or microchip. If we’re fortunate, generally we do discover identification, however the info isn’t updated.
It’s straightforward to neglect to replace your cat’s ID if you transfer or change your cellphone quantity. However do not forget that within the worst-case situation, this job could possibly be the distinction between being reunited along with your cat or not.
Do indoor cats want a microchip or tag? It’s nonetheless frequent for indoor cats to get misplaced in the event that they discover their means exterior—particularly as a result of they aren’t as streetwise as outside cats. They’re additionally extra more likely to grow to be spooked by environmental components and wrestle to seek out their means dwelling.
Additionally Learn: The 7 Greatest Cat ID Tags
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
What ought to a cat proprietor not do?
Maybe some of the vital tasks isn’t letting your cat grow to be obese. Maintaining them slim will cut back their danger of sickness and even assist them dwell longer. Keep away from overfilling the meals bowl, and keep watch over what number of treats your cat is getting.
What’s the primary behavioral grievance from cat house owners?
A prime grievance is cats not utilizing their litter field and as an alternative going elsewhere within the dwelling. This conduct could possibly be occurring for a number of causes. Cat house owners will wish to rule out a bodily drawback earlier than attempting to coach the cat.
Is it hectic proudly owning a cat?
Proudly owning a cat is an enormous duty, they usually do want a whole lot of time, data, and—let’s face it—cash. However spending your life with a cat brings you laughter, companionship, and a lot extra. In reality, research present that petting a cat for simply 10 minutes a day can cut back your stress ranges.
